Raw milk caused an undetermined number of illnesses before being removed from store shelves last weekend in southeast Pennsylvania. Those sickened suffered from severe gastrointestinal symptoms after drinking raw milk. The cows thought to be responsible for those illnesses are being tested for Salmonella by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Samantha Elliott Krepps, the department’s press secretary, told Food Safety News that the test results are not yet available. Dutch Meadows Dairy at Paradise, PA and Camphill Village Kimberton Hills Dairy at Kimberton, PA both had their raw milk pulled from store shelves. Retail sales of raw milk are legal in Pennsylvania, with regulatory responsibilities split between local or regional health departments and the state Department of Agriculture. The two dairies were persuaded to pull their raw milk dairy products by the Chester County Health Department after several people became ill after drinking it. The department has not provided any further information. According to Kimberton Whole Foods, a four-store local chain, Dutch Meadows was planning to resume sales this week, while Camphill Kimberton will not be found back on store shelves until January 5. In a notice posted on its website, the retailer said Camphill Kimberton is having its milk tested for Salmonella. Dutch Meadows produces certified organic raw milk from Dutch-belted cows, a heritage breed. Camphill Village Kimberton is a 210-acre dairy farm with about 90 Brown Swiss and Milking Short Horn cows. Its raw milk is used by the nearby Steven Stars Farm to produce yogurt. The two dairy farms are about 160 miles apart on opposite sides of Harrisburg. The area allows dairy cows to feed on diverse pastures from April to November. The four Kimberton Whole Foods stores are located in the Pennsylvania towns of Kimberton, Douglassville, Downingtown and Ottsville.
